THE next Richard Branson, Elon Musk or Alan Sugar could have had their first taste at business over the last month after being tasked with turning £20 into a profit as part of Corringham Primary's 'Business and Enterprise Week'.

Each class was gifted £20 in cash and tasked with finding creative to increase their initial investment – which the school had an obvious flair for, because by the end of the event, classes were over £1000 richer because of the student's efforts.

Maths lead, Ms Sara Faulkner, devised the week to teach the students the importance of maths and teamwork. Every class – including the nursery – came together and utilised skills they have learnt across the curriculum to create sideshows, raffles, plant stalls, home-made cakes and lemonade, and crafts for sale such as keyrings and friendship bracelets. The event was such a success that the line of parents wishing to attend extended to the street!

Two local businesswomen – Ashlee Mellett, a local estate agent, and Hannah from Tots World – kicked off the week in an inspiring assembly, giving advice as well as providing young girls with positive local role models.

Although every class produced superb work, the overall winner was class 'Italy' with a profit of £140! The event made an overall profit of £1,117 with all of the money going towards promoting wellbeing across each class by purchasing mindful colouring books, play dough, craft materials and play equipment.

Headteacher, Ms Karina Garrick said: "So who knows, maybe the next big phone app or product to take the world by storm could be created by one of Corringham Primary's very own future entrepreneurs. A huge well done to all the students and teachers that participated in 'Business and Enterprise Week'."